HanDBase Database Manager vs Collections Database
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HanDBase Database Manager
This is a powerful relational database manager for mobile devices. It allows users to create and edit custom databases with various field types, relational linking, and advanced sorting and filtering options. It supports photos, camera, GPS, and barcode scanning, with an optional custom forms designer.
- Create and edit databases on mobile
- 19 different field types
- Relational database linking
- Sorting, filtering, and custom views
- Field-level encryption
- Desktop Connect for import/export
- Support for photos, camera, GPS, barcode scanning
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Powerful relational database manager for mobile devices. Track anything! Shopping Lists,DVD Collections,Passwords,Prayer Lists,To Dos,Workouts,Recipes,Checkbook,Weight Loss,Auto Mileage Inventory,Surveys,Directories,Time/Billing CRM,Deliveries,Estimates Patient Lists,Billing Codes,Charge Capture Create and Edit Databases right on your iPhone 19 different field types Relational- link between different database tables Sorting,Filtering, and Customized Views Field level Encryption Desktop Connect- connect via web browser and load/save databases, import/export Integration w/ HanDBase Gallery-download over 2000 templates Support for photos/camera/gps/barcode scanning Custom Forms Designer available via in-app Purchase "HanDBase for iPhone is a very powerful and customizable database. There's really no competition to HanDBase, and given their long history and track record in the handheld world, HanDBase will be adopted quickly in businesses where custom databases are needed. At [Price], this app is a bargain." TUAW.com review "If you’re sick of buying [...] iPhone/Touch applications that don’t live up to their hype – then you should look at HanDBase" GearDiary.com review We are a world leader in the mobile database space and have compatible solutions (sold separately) for desktops, synchronization to programs like Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Filemaker, and most ODBC enabled apps. See our web site for more details and options. Please Note: The HanDBase database format does not support Unicode, so while English and most European languages are supported, other languages are not.
Collections Database
Organize anything with a personal database app. It offers over 20 field types, customizable layouts, and pre-built templates for common uses like books or expenses. Advanced features and iCloud sync are available.
- 20+ field types (text, number, picture, barcode, etc.)
- Customizable fields and display styles
- Pre-built templates (books, contacts, expenses, etc.)
- Organize with collections and subcollections
- Password, Face ID, and Touch ID protection
- iCloud synchronization across devices
- Advanced fields and calculations (Pro version)
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Collections is a personal database app to organize anything. 1. A field for every use Collections supports over 20+ field types: • Text, Number • Boolean • Picture • Select • Email, URL, Phone • Password • Date, Time • Color • Barcode And with the Pro version you can use even more advanced fields. • Document reference - Link documents together • Group - Add multiple values for a field • Formula - Create a formula for calculated values. Powerful formula editor with full support to math functions like SUM, AVG • Sources - Import documents from external APIs with Javascript 2. Customizable • Add and reorder fields • Add a separator between fields to better visualize them • Fields have different display styles like primary, secondary, thumbnail • Filter and sort data 3. Templates Collections includes basic templates to get started: • Books • Contacts • Expenses • Subscriptions • Credentials • Inventory • School 5. Advanced management Collections has different tools to help you creating the data model. SUBCOLLECTIONS Organize data into collections and subcollections. Simply said, they are like folders. LISTS A list contains items used in documents and it's very flexible. It could represent a Genre for a book or a Status like 'Available', 'Out of stock' for an object in the inventory. 6. Security • Protect collections using a password, Face ID or Touch ID • Sensitive data such as passwords are encrypted by default 7. iCloud Sync Data is synced automatically between devices through iCloud. 8. Apple's Shortcuts support Expand the app capabilities with Apple's Shortcuts support. 9. Pro version features • Add unlimited documents (free version is limited to 100 documents) • Add files to documents • Add advanced fields • Views • Grid • Use Summary to perform calculations across documents
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Collections Database at Free against HanDBase Database Manager's $9.99. Collections Database also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (87% vs 60%). HanDBase Database Manager's advantage is chart position (#64 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Collections Database is free to download; HanDBase Database Manager costs $9.99 up front. HanDBase Database Manager sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Collections Database sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Collections Database holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 99 and 187 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of HanDBase Database Manager's written reviews are positive against 87% of Collections Database's.
HanDBase Database Manager ships an update every 3 months, Collections Database fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HanDBase Database Manager | Collections Database |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (99 ratings) | 4.6 (187 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | 87.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 99 | 187 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #64 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DDH Software, LLC | Matteo D'Ignazio |
Customer experience
HanDBase Database Manager
Collections Database
User reviews
HanDBase Database Manager
From 99 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Excellent database app
- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 💡 Highly customizable
- 👍 Powerful relational features
- 👍 Flexible and versatile
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🐛 Issues with data loss
- 🐛 Syncing problems
- 🐛 Awkward user interface
Collections Database
From 187 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Flexible and customizable
- 🚀 Powerful and feature-rich
- 💡 Excellent integration with Apple ecosystem
- 🔒 Secure and private data storage
- 💰 Good value for money
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and sync issues
- 📚 Lacking comprehensive documentation
- 🔍 Limited search and filtering capabilities
- 🔀 Difficulty moving/copying data between collections
Bugs and requests
HanDBase Database Manager
Reported bugs
4 issues- Crashes when using password-protected databases
- Issues with field order and layout being lost
- Problems with data entry and saving records
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
Requested features
6 requests- Dark mode option
- Improved forms and UI customization
- Better integration with iPhone features (contacts, calendar, etc.)
- Enhanced reporting and export options
- Ability to create databases as standalone apps
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- Improved support for larger databases
Collections Database
Reported bugs
2 issues- Keyboard issues when using search
- Inconsistent behavior between iOS and macOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Collaborative features for sharing databases
- More advanced reporting and visualization options
- Improved import/export functionality
- Ability to customize the appearance and layout
In-app purchases
HanDBase Database Manager
- HanDBase Forms Designer for iPhone$4.99
Collections Database
- Collections Ultra (Upgrade)$1.99
- Collections Pro$7.99
- Collections Ultra$9.99
Questions
Is HanDBase Database Manager free?
Is Collections Database free?
Which has better reviews, HanDBase Database Manager or Collections Database?
Do HanDBase Database Manager or Collections Database have ads?
Which is updated more often, HanDBase Database Manager or Collections Database?
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